Hydrofoil board

ABSTRACT

A generally flat generally horizontal platform is provided with a plurality of generally downwardly extending struts secured at upper ends to the bottom surface of the platform and at bottom ends to corresponding inclined foils. The apparatus is adapted to be towed in water behind a motor boat and to be ridden in the same manner as water skis and the like. In use the platform rises vertically out of the water to a height determined by the length of the struts.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Michael J. Cahill 53A Beaver TerraceClrcle, Framingham, Mass. 01701; Ernest G. La Casse, 2008 Bentely Place,Charlotte, N.C. 28205 [21] Appl. No. 802,032 [22] Filed Feb. 25, 1969[45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 [54] HYDROFOIL BOARD 41 Claims, 5 DrawingFigs,

[52] US. Cl 9/310 C, 114/665 [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 15/00, B63b 1/30 [50]Field of Search /310; 114/665 l-l;115/235.1, 235 WS [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,910,708 11/1959 Albright 9/310 2,930,3383/1960 Flornenhoftw w m 5/ 1960 Szymczyk et a1.

Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Paul E. SaubererAttorney-Charles l-lieken ABSTRACT: A generally flat generallyhorizontal platform is 1 provided with a plurality of generallydownwardly extending struts secured at upper ends to the bottom surfaceof the platform and at bottom ends to corresponding inclined foils. Theapparatus is adapted to be towed in water behind a motor boat and to beridden in the same manner as water skis and the like. In use theplatform rises vertically out of the water to a height determined by thelength of the struts.

PATENIED :SEP 14 Ian INVEN'IORS ERNEST 6. [ACASSg MICHAEL J. CAI-(ILLHYDROFOIL BOARD SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In my invention, threespaced-apart elongated struts extend generally vertically downward fromthe bottom surface of a generally flat generally horizontal platform.These struts are not disposed along a common line. One strut is actuallyvertical; the other two struts extend inclinedly outwards in oppositedirections. A first vertically inclined fiat foil is secured to thebottom end of the one strut. A second foil has both a horizontal portionand an upwardly and outwardly extending portion is secured to the bottomend of a third strut. The horizontal portions of the second and thirdfoils extend toward each other.

Typically, a cord or cable is connected to the second and third strutsand is also connected to the rear of the motorboat for use. A secondcable can be secured at both ends to the top surface of the platform foruse by the rider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of our invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a strut construction; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform used in our invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS.1-5, we show a particular form of our invention which we call aManta-Foil since the platform which is generally horizontal andgenerally flat is curved in such manner as to resemble a Manta Ray. Itwill be understood that the platform in use is out of the water and inprinciple can have any shape as long as a rider can ride its topsurface, supporting himself by cable 12 secured at both ends inspaced-apart positions to the top surface.

Two spaced-apart struts 14 and 16 extend generally downward inspaced-apart positions from the front of the under surface of theplatform, actually extending inclinedly outward away from each other. Athird strut l8 spaced apart from and to the rear of both struts extendsvertically downwards from the rear surface.

A first flat foil 38 extending rearwards and inclinedly downwards issecured to the bottom of strut 18.

A second foil has a horizontal portion 20 and an outwardly and upwardlyinclined portion 22. The bottom of strut 14 is secured to both portions20 and 22.

A third foil has a horizontal portion 24 and an outwardly and upwardlyinclined portion 26. The bottom of strut 16 is secured to both portions24 and 26. Portions 20 and 24 are disposed adjacent each other.

Struts l4 and 16 have eyes 28 to which a split cable 30 can be secured,the other end of the cable (which is not split) being securable to themotorboat.

Each strut has two outer and inner members 32 and 34 which fittelescopically together, the outer and inner members each havingvertically spaced holes 40 which can be aligned and joined together bybolting elements 36 to lengthen or shorten the struts whereby theplatform can be raised or lowered to a selected height above the waterwhen in use.

The struts can be made of aluminum tubing and rod. The remainingportions, i.e., the platform and foils can be formed of a durableplastic.

As previously described, when our invention is towed through water by amotor boat and ridden as water skis, zip sleds and the like, theplatform rises out of the water to a height determined by the length ofthe struts.

While we have described our invention with particular reference to thedrawings such is not to be considered as limitin its actual scope.

aving thus described this invention what lS asserted as new l. Ahydrofoil board comprising:

a generally horizontal platform having a front and a rear;

a pair of spaced-apart struts extending generally downward from thebottom surface of the platform adjacent the front, said struts extendinginclinedly downward and outward from each other;

an additional strut spaced from said pair and extending verticallydownward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the rear;

three hydrofoils, each hydrofoil being secured to the bottom end of thecorresponding strut;

first and second ones of said hydrofoils being attached to respectiveones of said pair of spaced struts each having a normally substantiallyhorizontal portion extending inwardly toward the other from itsrespective strut and joined with a portion extending upward toward saidplatform away from each other from its respective strut;

the third of said hydrofoils extending rearwardly inclinedly downwardfrom said additional strut;

and towing means comprisinga Y-shaped cable with each respective branchthereof attached to respective ones of said pair of spaced apart strutsbelow said platform.

2. A board as set forth in claim 1, wherein each strut is provided withmeans for varying the length thereof.

3. A board as set forth in claim 2 wherein said platform has the shapeof a Manta Ray.

4. A hydrofoil board in accordance with claim 1 and further comprisingrider support means secured to the front of said platform extendingupward therefrom for providing support for a rider on said board.

1. A hydrofoil board comprising: a generally horizontal platform havinga front and a rear; a pair of spaced-apart struts extending generallydownward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the front,said struts extending inclinedly downward and outward from each other;an additional strut spaced from said pair and extending verticallydownward from the bottom surface of the platform adjacent the rear;three hydrofoils, each hydrofoil being secured to the bottom end of thecorresponding strut; first and second ones of said hydrofoils beingattached to respective ones of said pair of spaced struts each having anormally substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly toward theother from its respective strut and joined with a portion extendingupward toward said platform away from each other from its respectivestrut; the third of said hydrofoils extending rearwardly inclinedlydownward from said additional strut; and towing means comprising aY-shaped cable with each respective branch thereof attached torespective ones of said pair of spaced apart struts below said platform.2. A board as set forth in claim 1, wherein each strut is provided withmeans for varying the length thereof.
 3. A board as set forth in claim 2wherein said platform has the shape of a Manta Ray.
 4. A hydrofoil boardin accordance with claim 1 and further comprising rider support meanssecured to the front of said platform extending upward therefrom forproviding support for a rider on said board.